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Transforming Lives

Language: English

Speeches Shim

Members of the Cerrik Youth Council standing in front of their poster board.

According to the International Labor Organization, Albania ranked first in the world this year in youth unemployment. Youth have expressed discontent with the government for not meeting its obligation to them by effectively implementing the National Action Plan 2015-2020, which was designed “to develop and coordinate cross sectoral policies in education, employment, health, culture and enhance youth participation in social life and decision making processes.”  

Girl prepares table for dinner at hotel.

Since she was a child, Elvira Xhemalaj has been fascinated with nature. She grew up in the Albanian coastal city of Vlore, which is situated along the lush Albanian Riviera between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, separated only by a mountain pass. Growing up surrounded by fauna and flora led her to study biology at a local college.

Chief Judge Enkeledi Hajro of the Tirana District Court reviews her documents.

Audio recording technology and inter-agency collaboration have strengthened Albania’s court system.

Young university student standing next to old bald man. Woman in background takes selfie.

To improve the effectiveness of Albania’s public sector, in 2012 USAID’s Planning and Local Governance Project partnered with Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development, an Albanian NGO dedicated to sustainable urban planning, to research on how Albanian cities can apply new financial instruments, such as land value capture, to increase revenues. 

Merxhan Daci, left, and Anxela Ruci at the Faktoje office.

Faktoje is a critical element of USAID’s Justice for All reforms in Albania, which is helping improve government transparency and accountability through responsible journalism.

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